- Richard Harry Graves of Tillamook passed away peacefully, surrounded by loved ones, on June 7, 2012, at the age of 82. Known as Dick, he was born in Salem on June 16, 1929, to Verrell Palmer Graves and Harry Churchman Graves. Dick was a descendant of 1848 Oregon Trail pioneer James Buchanan Graves.
Dick spent his childhood and early school years in Salem, also spending time at the Marion and Polk County farms of his grandparents and other relatives. In 1935, his father, a Naval Reservist, was called to active duty at the Civilian Conservation Corps camp near Perryville, Mo. From there, the family moved to duty assignments in Ft. Leavenworth, Kansas, and St. Louis, Mo. At the beginning of WWII, Dick's father was assigned to NAS Sand Point in Seattle and subsequently at NAS Pasco, Wash., where Dick finished 8th grade. When Dick's father was sent to the South Pacific, he and his mother returned to Salem, and he enrolled in Hill Military Academy in Portland for his freshman high school year. Another Navy assignment sent the family eastward to Patuxent River, Md., where Dick attended and graduated high school from Charlotte Hall Military Academy.
Dick's college days included a year at the University of Hawaii, a year at Eastern Oregon, and finally two years at UO, where he graduated in 1951 with a BA in Business and pledged Pi Kappa Alpha. He enlisted in the Navy Reserve in 1948 and continued to drill through 1954, including training cruises aboard submarines.
Dick met Dolores Friedrich, known as Freddie, of Molalla while a Senior at UO, and they married in August 1951. He embarked on a 35 year career with Sears Roebuck at the main store in Portland, and subsequently at stores in Yakima, Chehalis, and Walla Walla, Wash., before taking an assignment in Seattle as the Sears NW Regional Buyer for candy and foods. Dick loved this work as it fit his outgoing nature and afforded many travel and food-testing opportunities. He finished his Sears career in Salt Lake City. Throughout this time, Dick and Freddie raised four children, Scott, Terry, Cynthia and Molly. The family enjoyed vacations to the Molalla farm of Freddie's parents, family reunions in Salem, and summer trips to the Oregon Coast at Netarts Bay. Many great friends and experiences were enjoyed along the way.
In 1984, Dick and Freddie built their dream home on Netarts Bay and have lived there to this day. He was very active in the Netarts and Tillamook communities, serving in the Netarts Community Club, Tillamook Lion's Club, Netarts Water Board, Friends of Cape Meares Lighthouse, and was a board member at TLC Federal Credit Union. Dick received numerous awards for his volunteer service, including the Lions Club President's Award and was a three-time Lion of the Year. Dick and Freddie traveled extensively in retirement, going to Hawaii and northwest vacation areas frequently with Sears colleagues, taking cruises, and driving cross-country to visit friends and family. Their home was constantly filled with friends, relatives, and particularly grandchildren Alex, Emily, Nick and Luke. The beach out front was the scene of years of bonfires, cookouts, fireworks, sand art, tidepool exploring and long beachcombing expeditions. Dick was a friend and benefactor of every bird, squirrel, and chipmunk that visited the front yard for a morning snack, and he kept track of the comings and goings of the seals, eagles, and especially the waterfowl and pelicans on their migratory journeys.
Dick was an active member of Saint Alban's Episcopal Church in Tillamook since 1985. He served as the Treasurer, and was a Vestry member. He always enjoyed helping with Wednesday night church suppers and any other volunteer activity. Dick was dearly loved and will be missed by the congregation.
Dick is survived by his wife of nearly 61 years, Dolores Friedrich Graves; son Scott and wife Vicki of Pensacola, Fla.; son Terry and friend Beth Lynch of the Hood Canal and Seattle area; daughter Cynthia and husband Gary Lewis of Portland; and daughter Molly and husband Jerry Reneau of Netarts. Grandchildren are Ensign Alex Graves, USN, of Kingsville, Texas; Emily Graves of Gainesville, Fla.; Nick Reneau of Netarts, and Luke Reneau of Netarts. Dick's older brother Jack and wife Kathy live in Redmond, Wash.
In his last months, Dick greatly appreciated the support of the Netarts Oceanside Fire & Rescue Dept, who facilitated access up to the car and back when needed for medical appointments.
The family also would like to thank Tillamook Hospice and the staff at Five Rivers for the graceful, professional care they provided Dick in his last weeks.
The family requests no flowers but rather any contributions be made on Dick's behalf to the Netarts Oceanside Fire & Rescue Dept, Netarts Community Club, or St. Alban's Episcopal Church in Tillamook.
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1929 - 2012 (82 years)
